The Dubai Culture & Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has won the ‘best cultural application in the Arab world’ during the Alesco App Award. The award was presented by the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (ALESCO) at a ceremony in Dubai recently.

The competition attracted a total number of 1,350 applications from 19 Arab countries.

The Dubai Culture app has recently been enhanced with a number of new features. The app utilises ‘augmented reality’ as a tool, supported by ‘iBeacon’ technology which enables users able to identify sites of historical interest and provides notifications of nearby historical sites.

Through the medium of a smartphone camera, the app also overlays smartphone screens with information and interactive images.

Director of Information Technology Department at Dubai Culture & Arts Authority, Mohammed Yousif Al Hammadi, said: “Dubai Culture’s IT efforts continuously employ advanced technology trends in order to provide innovative creative services, making the authority a key government catalyst carrying out the emirate’s vision to make Dubai the smartest city in the world. An example of Dubai Culture’s work in this regard is the recent launch of our corporate application which was awarded the ‘Best Government Mobile Service’ for the tourism sector during its second edition.

“Our recent win of an Alesco Apps Award is testament to our focus on employing the latest developments and rapid changes in information technology, to strengthen and promote the cultural and creative fabric of Dubai.”